Modern headlight lenses are made of polycarbonate, which yellows in sunlight unless it is protected. The factory coats them with a thin UV-blocking lacquer. Over 5–8 years, brush car washes, sand and winter road salt wear that lacquer away, and sunlight breaks it down. First comes a milky haze, then yellow patches, then a fine web of cracks in the lacquer.
Wipe part of the lens with a wet cloth. If it turns clear for a few seconds, the haze is on the surface and restoration will work. If nothing changes, the problem is inside: condensation, a damaged reflector or a burnt projector lens. That needs a headlight repair shop or a new unit.
They work for a few weeks. Toothpaste is too mild to remove all of the damaged factory lacquer: it only takes off the surface haze, and the cracked yellow layer underneath shows through again within 1–3 months. Kits with a spray UV clear coat do better, but it is hard to spray without runs and dust in a home garage.
At the annual technical inspection, the examiner checks headlight aim and whether the dipped beam has a sharp cut-off line. A heavily clouded lens scatters the beam: the cut-off blurs, the road is less well lit, and the light dazzles oncoming drivers. The examiner can record a lighting defect, and you come back for a re-test.
In March an American client working in Kraków brought in his 2011 Honda Accord after it failed the przegląd on the dipped beam. We restored both headlights the next morning, and he passed the re-test at the same station that afternoon. The restoration cost him 400 zł; two replacement headlights would have cost about 1,400 zł.
Get the headlight aim checked at the inspection station after restoration.
Buyers judge a car's age by its headlights before they look at the paint, and in listing photos yellow lights add years to a car. Bogdan, our detailer, says restored headlights freshen up the whole look and push the price up straight away. It's the cheapest part of pre-sale preparation, and the difference shows at first glance.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Headlight restoration (pair) | from 400 zł |
| Restoration + PPF on headlights (pair) | from 800 zł |
| Rear and fog lights | quoted on site |
| Restoration with paint polishing | quoted individually |
A pair starts at 400 zł; with protective film on the lenses, from 800 zł.
About 2–3 years if the car lives outdoors, and longer under film. A toothpaste or DIY job lasts a few weeks.
Only for a short time. The damaged lacquer under the haze stays, and the lens clouds again within 1–3 months.
If the lens scatters the beam and the dipped-beam cut-off is blurred, the examiner can record a defect. Restoration usually fixes it.
Yes, you can book and talk to us in English.
Studio: ul. Powstańców 20, Kraków (Prądnik Czerwony), Mon–Sat 9:00–19:00, +48 510 510 082. We check the lights, do the test and tell you straight away whether restoration makes sense. The studio is inside Kraków's Clean Transport Zone: if your car does not meet the norms, here is how to pay for entry.
